Why do most stores have a hiring age minimun of 16 when the gov't. says you can be 14/15 to work there??

Question

Please help me understand this; I'm almost 15 and every place I contact says you must be 16!

Thanks so much. I don't want to work at a place that sells alcohol, etc.; I just want to work in retail. Preferably at my favorite mall stores such as Old Navy, Limited Too, Hollister and-of course- Aeropastale. You guys bring up a good point about it being the employer's right and all, but I feel I'm able and mature enough to stock shelves and run a register. Most people think I'm sixteen anyway.

Answer 1

Because even though you can legally work, there are still a lot of rules for how many hours you can work, time frames you can work, how many breaks you should have, & so on & a lot of employers don't want to deal with it. Also, depends on where you're applying. In most states, you have to be a certain age to sell tobacco & alcohol, & chances are at 14 or 15 you're under the limit. If you're applying somewhere like Wal-mart that sells these items, it's too much of a hassle because you could get a customer at your register that you can't ring up because they're buying one or more of these items

Answer 2

It is a matter of reliability and responsibility. Places where you may have to work alone or be a key holder for the position will not hire under 16 and sometimes 18. This is a matter of legality.

There are also a whole new set of laws and regulations applied to minors under the age of 16 that are a pain in the bum for employers to adhere to and schedule around. It is much easier to just hire over 16 as if provides more flexibility with regards to scheduling.

For a job under 16 you may want to look to the fast food industry as often you work in a team setting with plenty of supervision and minimal responsibility.

Answer 3

even though it is 15. it does not apply to all states. for insurance and safety reasons 16 is the legal age. at age 15 1/2 you will need a school certified note to work showing you are in good standing at school. at the age of 16, you can drop out of school(i do not recommend you to do that) but yes you can leave your house and your parent are not really liable for you. therefore at the age 16 there is a little more responsibility and i would guessyou will be more reliable....etc

Answer 4

Because it's their personal business. They have the right to decide who's qualified to work in it. The law doesn't say you can work anyplace you want at fourteen or fifteen. It says that that is the minimum age a child can work with a permit. Some businesses may not feel that a fourteen or fifteen year-old is mature enough or skilled enough to handle a particular job, and that's their right.

Answer 5

My son is 14 and he cannot find a job except at McDonalds.. Its insurance regulations and the fact that kids are not allowed to work the same hours as the 16 and above or even 18 and above.

Answer 6

because on school days you can only work till 7pm, you can only work so many hours in a day and or week, and its to much of a hassle for the employer to keep tract of all the child labor laws associated with kids under the age of 16.

Answer 7

There may be local laws that require you to be 16 to be hired. My guess is it has more to do with your getting to work. If you are not old enough to get a drivers license, you are more likely to miss work.

Answer 8

at 14 and 15 you cannot work at a store.. ESPECIALLY one that sells beer, wine or cigarettes... you are allowed working papers for only CERTAIN TYPES OF JOBS... none of which can run past 9PM at night or is it 8PM? it's been a LOT of years since I needed working papers.... so, the government does NOT say you can work in a store that cells cigarettes, wine or beer at 14 or 15 either.....

Answer 9

probably so that they know you will be able to drive to work without having to depend on someone else for a ride since you're not old enough to drive.

Answer 10

people under 16 are usually not very reliable